The Blast

Another Week Flies By Somehow we’re approaching the middle of June and the weeks keep flying by. As usual, it’s been a busy 7 days and today’sBlast will review the news while adding some observations and commentary you may want to consider discussing with friends over the weekend.

The Comey Story

The big news, of course, was James Comey’s testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. Rather than review what was said, let’s consider a couple of things that you may or may not have thought about it. The following is all based on believing what James Comey told us on Thursday --- and, given that we know his adversary in this case is a well-known pathological liar, there is no reason not to believe the former FBI director. What’s important to note about Comey’s depiction of his interactions with our Chief Executive is how closely it resembles two very recognizable scenarios we are quite familiar with. One is your basic “Godfather” situation in which the “Don” is demanding to know that his foot soldier is “loyal.” Knowing what we do about this President --- that loyalty, above all else is the coin of his realm --- it is not difficult to picture him exacting an oath of fealty from Comey. That he has cleared the room of witnesses is also reminiscent of a Mob shakedown scene, too. Scenario Two is developed in extensive detail on today’s NY Times op-ed page by Nicole Serratore and it’s another that we already know is quite familiar to this President: the role of Predator in Chief, as she calls it. Serratore, quite aptly, identifies the “dinner date” Trump arranged with Comey as akin to “the experience of a woman being harassed by her powerful, predatory boss. There was precisely the sinister air of coercion, of an employee helpless to avoid the unsavory contact with an employer who is trying to grab what he wants.” With visions of Ailes and O’Reilly, Trump’s staunch defenders, provoked by these sentences we can see that Comey, too, was put in the position so many women have had to withstand (and continue to withstand). In both cases, as a thuggish Mob boss or a lecherous, predatory Employer, our Chief Executive is revealed for who he is at his core --- the core that his base, apparently, still loves.

2. Paul Ryan and Don, Jr.

You may have caught the ever-lame Paul Ryan making excuses for the President’s clumsy attempt to intimidate Comey and quash the Russia investigation. In St. Paul’s own words:“I would just say that of course there needs to be a degree of independence between [the Department of Justice], FBI and the White House and a line of communications established. The president’s new at this. He’s new to government, and so he probably wasn’t steeped in the long-running protocols that establish the relationships between DOJ, FBI and White Houses. He’s just new to this.”

Even if we thought Ryan believed his own bullshit, how about this question: As Speaker-of-the-House, haven’t you felt an obligation to help this novice learn about those “long-running protocols,” etc.?” Ryan, once again, is willing to publicly stand up, make a statement like that as he looks right in the camera, and have no clue as to what a huge flaming dickhead he is.​And while we’re on the subject of dickheads, how about Don Jr.’s “live-tweeting” during the Comey testimony? In case you missed it, DJT Jr sent out three tweets that reveal that rotten apples don’t fall far from their tree.

"(1)Flynn stuff is BS in context 2 guys talking about a guy they both know well. I hear 'I hope nothing happens but you have to do your job’. (2) Very far from any kind of coercion or influence and certainly not obstruction!""(3)Knowing my father for 39 years when he 'orders or tells' you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means." (CNN June 8th)

Here’s rough, tough Donnie Jr, best known for his big-game hunting photos, showing us his best macho swagger. Like his father’s “locker room talk” with Billy Bush, now it’s just “2 guys talking” and DJT Jr weighs in with his studied legal opinion (“certainly not obstruction!”) before sharing his intimate insight to how tough Dad is because “when he orders to tells you” you know it! Given Dad’s Corleone mentality and characteristics, we just might give Donnie Jr some leeway on this one --- after all, he had to grow up with that guy.

3. Spectating

While many probably don’t care much about the French Open (tennis) being played in Paris for the last fortnight, I had a passing thought as I watched a match on NBC earlier today (June 9th). There were 14,840 paying spectators in attendance at the event. Tonight I’ll watch the Yankees play the Orioles at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and anywhere from 25 to 45,000 people will show up to watch that game. 11,000 fans will fill the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for the NBA Finals this evening, too. And thousands will fill other stadia and arenas all over world, not to mention how many will watch on televisions or streaming devices! This all made me wonder about our whole history, as humans, of watching others --- particularly those who are very, very good at what they do (athletes, actors, musicians, et al). While we, ourselves, may participate in sports, or playing music, or acting in Community Theater, there is some inherent desire, it seems, to watch those who have perfected (or come close to perfection) those talents or skills. Going back to the Greek amphitheatres and the Roman Coliseum, knights jousting and lethal Mayan “basketball,” we humans derived pleasure and/or satisfaction from watching others --- identifiable to us in many ways (two arms & legs & eyes, for example) --- who excel at athletics or music or acting publicly. Forget that spectating has become a multi-billion dollar industry for a moment or two and just appreciate whatever it is you watch this weekend --- and those people who raise our spirits because of their talent, style, and grace under pressure (sometimes). Spectate away!